Freestyler Makes Swim For College

March 31, 1993|By SHARON ROBB, Staff Writer

Carlos Santander of the Fort Lauderdale Swim Team took a giant step toward earning a college scholarship this past weekend.

Santander, 18, from Venezuela, won the 200-yard and 50-yard freestyle events at the U.S. Swimming Junior National Championships at the O`Connell Center in Gainesville. Both times were senior national qualifying times.

Santander has spent the past two years training in Fort Lauderdale and learning to speak English fluently so he can do well on his college entrance exam.

``He can write his own ticket,`` FLST coach Jack Nelson said. ``He has been working so hard to swim fast and learn the language. College coaches will sit up and take notice of him now with those times.``

Santander will skip this week`s senior nationals in Nashville after competing in juniors, because it doesn`t give him enough time to rest and recover.

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Colleen McDonald of Cooper City, ranked No. 1 in the women`s 61-kilogram division, survived the preliminary judo trials at Palmer Prep High and advanced to the final trials April 10 to see who will represent the United States in the World Senior Judo Championships in Indianapolis. McDonald is among 81 athletes contending.

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Nova University junior Ed Mackie hit two grand slams, a school single game and single season record, to lead the Knights to their 12th straight victory and 20th straight at home in a 13-0 shutout of Palm Beach Atlantic.

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Florida International University placed fourth in the men`s championship distance medley relay at the Florida Relays in Gainesville. The team of Randy Walkins (Coconut Creek), Greg Thompson, Rob Thompson and Jim Sellers set a school record of 10:01.

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Rafael Wynn of Plantation finished her sophomore season at Hobart College averaging 6.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Hobart College finished 12-13 overall and 6-8 in the Empire Athlete Association... Barry`s John Tovar (Nova) was named to the Florida Intercollegiate Soccer Coaches All- State team... Colorado tennis player Nathalie Dickson (Cardinal Gibbons) has earned the No. 1 singles position as a sophomore. She was 17-14 in the fall, 3-4 in the Big Eight. With the spring season just under way, she is undefeated in doubles and 4-2 in singles.